The use of a growth factor inhibitor in the treatment of recurrent bleeding in von Willebrand disease

Abstract

Introduction. Von Willebrand disease (vWD) is a hereditary disorder of the blood coagulation system caused by a quantitative and/or qualitative defect of Willebrand factor (vWF), the pathogenetic principle of treatment of which is substitution therapy with combined concentrates of factor III and vWF. When bleeding foci of gastrointestinal angiodysplasia appear, hemostatic replacement therapy may not be effective.Aim: to present a clinical observation of the cessation of bleeding from gastrointestinal angiodysplasia after the use of a growth factor inhibitor in a vWD patient.Main fundings. A clinical case of treatment of a type III vWD patient with recurrent bleeding from foci of gastrointestinal dysplasia is presented. In order to stop bleeding, a course of therapy with a recombinant humanized monoclonal antibody targeting vascular endothelial growth factor (bevacizumab) was performed. 6 injections of the drug were administered, with a single dose being 400 mg. The interval between injections was 2 weeks. After bevacizumab therapy for 12 months, there were no cases of bleeding, although no hemostatic drugs were administered.